Float



Sept. 19, 1933. H. B. JONES 1,927,124

FLOAT File d June 20, 19:52

Patented Sept. 19, 1933 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a float for use in swimming places andis designed moreparticularly for aiding children and adding to theirpleasure when engaged in swimming. The ob- 5 ject of the invention is toprovide a float of light but durable construction which cannot bereadily submerged and which will furnish means for supporting thechildren during those intervals when they are resting from theirstrenuous exercise. The invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing and consists in certain novel features which will be hereinafterfirst fully described and then more particularly defined in the appendedclaims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a float embodying theinvention,

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the same,

Fig. 3 is a transverse section.

In carrying out the invention, there are provided side members 1 whichare constructed of wood and may be of any preferred dimensions. To andbetween the side bars 1, adjacent the ends thereof, are secured crossbars 2 of the same material as the side bars thereby providing a verystrong and rigid frame. Upon the upper edges of the side bars and thecross bars are secured boards 3 which extend from end to end of theframe and are spaced apart, as indicated at 4, so that open spaces willbe providedextending the full length of the frame through which watermay drain as the device rises to the surface after having beenintentionally or accidentally thrust under the surface of the body ofwater. Upon referring to Figs. 1 and 2 more particularly, it Will benoted that the side bars 1 are tapered at their extremities, as shown at5, thereby giving an ornamental appearance to the device and shaping theends of the side bars so that they may be utilized as handles when thedevice is to be carried from place to place. The

deck or platform boards 3 at the sides of the device also have theirends tapered, as shown at 6, thereby giving the device an attractiveappearance and also eliminating sharp angles which might scratch orotherwise injure the children swimming near or attempting to obtain ahold upon the float. A rope 7 is trained through openings providedtherefor in the extremities of the side bars and is passed around theentire device and is held somewhat loosely thereon, this rope furnishinga very convenient means for towing the float and also providing a meanswhich may be easily grasped by a swimmer who may feel the need ofadditional support.

Disposed at the undersides of the platform or deck boards 3 and againstthe side bars 1 and end bars 2 is a buoyant body 8, preferably in theform of a rubber or fabric tube which, when inflated, will frictionallyengage the side and end walls of the frame as well as the platform so asto prevent accidental displacement of said body. A body of cork or otherbuoyant material may be employed, if preferred, and the buoyant body,however constructed, may be secured to the side PATENT OFFICE and crossbars in any convenient manner.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, it will be seen that I have provided anexceedingly simple and inexpensive device which is very eiiicient forthe purpose for which it is designed. The body of the device isconstructed of wood which is not easily submerged and its buoyancy isincreased by the provision of the inner buoyant body 8 which is housedby the side bars and cross bars so that it is not apt to be accidentallydamaged or destroyed.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A float comprising a frame including side bars, cross bars secured toand between the side bars adjacent the ends thereof, boards secured uponthe side bars and cross bars, and a buoyant body housed within the frameand held from displacement by frictional engagement with the innersurfaces of the side bars and cross bars.

2. A float comprising side bars having tapered extremities, cross barssecured to and between the side bars adjacent the tapered extremities ofthe same, outer and intermediate deck boards secured upon the upperedges of the side bars and the cross bars, the opposite ends of theouter deck boards being curved inwardly, a buoyant body secured to theinner surfaces of the cross bars and side bars, and a continuous cableencircling the side bars and cross bars and threaded through openings atthe tapered extremities of the side bars whereby the cable will bespaced from said cross bars at the curved ends of the outer deck boards.

HARRY B. JONES.

